The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-04-01
Tomatoes.

The tomato has a curious history.
Naive of South America, like the po-
tato, it IS said to have been introduced
into England as early as 1896. Many
years elapsed before it was used as
food, and the botanical name given to
it was significant of the estimation in
which it was held by our forefathers.
1t was called Lycopersicuna- CON-
pound term meaning wolf and peach,
indicating that, Notwithstanding its
beauty, it was regarded as a sort of
'Dead Sea fruit" The Italians first
dared to use it freely, the French fol-
lowed. and after cycling it askance as
novelty for unknown years, John Bull
ventured to taste, and having survive !,
began to eat with increasing gusto.
To our grandmothers in this land the
ruby fruit was given as "love-apples,"
and adorning quaint old bureaus, were
devoured by dreamy eyes long before
canning factories were within the ken
of even a Yankees vision. Now, to-
matoes vie with the potato as gen.
eral article of food, and one can
scarcely visit quarter of the globe 30
remote but he will find that the tomato
can has been there before him. It's cul-
lure is 80 easy that one year,I had bush
els of the finest fruit from plants that
grew here and there by chance. Skill
is required only in producing an early
crop, and to secure this end the earlier
the plants are started in Spring the
better Those who have glass will ex-
perience no difficulty whatever. The
seed may be sown in greenhouse as
early as January, and the plants potted
when three inches high, transferred to
larger pots from time to time
as they grow, and by the middle of
May put into the open ground, full of
blossoms and immature fruit. Indeed,
plants started early in the Fall will
give liz the greenhouse a good supply
all Winter. They also grow readily
in hot beds, cold frames, and sunny
windows. We usually can buy we'll
forwarded plants from those who raise
them for sale. If these are set out
early in Nav on sunny slope, they
mature rapidly. and give an early yield.
The tomato is very sensitive to frost,
and should not be in the open ground
before danger from 1t is over
Throughout May we may find plants
for sale everywhere. If we desire to
try distinct kinds with the least trouble,
we can SOW the seed about May 1, and
in our climate enjoy an abundant yield
in September or before. In the cool,
humid climate of England the tomato
is usually grown en- espaner, like the
peach, along sunny walls and fences,
receiving as careful Summer pruning
as the grapevine. With us they are
usually left to sprawl over the ground
at will. BY training The vines over
various kinds of supports, however,
they can be made as Ornamental as they
are useful. The ground on which they
grow should be only moderately fertile,
or else there is too great a growth of
| vine at the expense of fruit This is
especially true if we wish an early
yield, and in this case the warmest,
driest soil is necessary.
But comparatively few years ago
the tomato consisted of little more than
rind with seeds in the hollow center.
Now, the only varieties worth raising
cut as solid as mellow pear. The
following is Gregory's list OF varieties:
Livingston's Beauty, Alpha, Acme,
Canada Victor, Arlington, General
Grant. l will add Trophy and Mikado.
If a yellow variety is desired, try
Golden Trophv.-E u. Roe.